(This is a map of where Pelechaty's house is located in present day Winnipeg)
Next of Kin (and relationship):John Pelechaty (Father)
Date of enlistment: October 5th, 1942
City and province of enlistment: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Essay
Many men fought the war for many different reasons. They risked their lives for the safety of their respective countries. The veterans from Winnipeg, Manitoba had sacrificed so much to keep the people of this community safe. Among these men was Griffin Pelechaty. He was a student from St. Paul’s High School had joined the army at a tender age, and died honorably in battle. The main objective of this project is to make sure that people comprehend the fact that these veterans should not be forgotten and that their legacy should live on for generations to come. Their commitment, valour, and bravery will be reminiscent throughout the school forever. The following essay will guide the reader through the life and times of Griffin Pelechaty. This will include his early life, time at the R.C.A.F. and his cruel death. Joseph Pelechaty was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was Polish-Canadian, seeing that his parents were both born in Poland. Raised Roman Catholic, Pelechaty was bi-lingual speaking fluent English and good Polish. During his years at St. Paul’s High School, Pelechaty was an athletic student, for he played tennis, basketball, and rugby. He was most likely a very proficient physical specimen, and lived at 220 Hargrave Street (Record of Service Airmen). As a student, Pelechaty didn’t excel as proficiently as he must have in athletics. Instead of leaving during the eleventh grade (which was most common during his time), he left after fully graduating (School Records). Ignatius enrolled into the army on the thirteenth of November in 1942. He enrolled into the Royal Canadian Air Force with no past experience with the army. The only notable job experience he had prior to his enrollment was the fact that he was a stock keeper. Pelechaty had no apparent health issues during his enrollment which was an obvious advantage. For example, all urine tests came out negative and there was no disease present in his oral cavities (R.C.A.F. Attestation Paper). During this harsh period of war, there may have been a certain attraction that Pelechaty had towards the R.C.A.F. Many of the veterans from St. Paul’s High School did end up becoming part of the Air Force. There may have been a certain prestige that came along with a job in the Air Force which may explain the attraction of the general youth towards that particular department. These are all important reasons why Pelechaty was in a way a reflection of the times that he faced. This must have been a house-hold story for many veterans that were enlisted for war. During his time at the Royal Canadian Air Force, Pelechaty must have faced some very harsh challenges. Pelechaty was an air gunner for the force. This shows that he must have had superior skills when it came to concentration and consistency with his shot (Official Registration of Death). During training camp for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Pelechaty must have gone through some very intense training exercises. This included flying and of course, drills that involved his occupation which was air gunning. When training to be an air gunner, there was much practice needed with the accuracy of the individual’s shot. This is why they went through numerous drills while in aircrafts to perfect the precision of their accuracy (The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan). Pelechaty was part of the 426 Squadron. This squadron was founded in Yorkshire England on October 15th, 1942. Their leading commander was Commander S.S. Blanchard, whose origin was in Edmonton, Alberta. During April of 1944, they were starting to utilize the aircraft Halifax III. This aircraft was used for many bombing operations during 1944. This aircraft must have been some sort of an improvement from the last aircraft used (Avro Lancaster II) in terms of ammunition, because after converting to this new aircraft, bombing operations commenced. “426 Squadron’s first daylight attack, took place on June 21st against a V1 Buzz Bomb depot” (RCAF 426 “Thunderbird”). Ignatius Pelechaty had passed away on September 30th, 1944. He was presumed dead after his plane went missing. He was in Germany at the time, and according to German information he was presumed killed during air operations (Province of Manitoba Official Registration of Death). Pelechaty still wasn’t married, and his father was still listed as his next of kin. He died at the tender age of 22 (Department of National Defense). After his death, Pelechaty obtained many honours for his courageous service on behalf of the Royal Canadian Air Force. These honours include the 38-45 Star, F.R. and GER. Star, and the Defense medal among others (Service Award Card). To conclude, Pelechaty was a brave veteran who fought for this country as an air gunner. From his time at St. Paul’s High School till his death, he was a great representation of the times that he lived him because of the series of events that he had to live through. The cause of his death was murder which shows how prominent death was during that era. Pelechaty was a hero who will never be forgotten, and his name will forever be engraved in not only the history of the school, but the history of mankind.
Military Service Record
Age (at death): 22
Force: Air Force
Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force
Service Number: J90271
Honours and Awards: 38-45 Star, F.R. and GER. Star, Defence Medal, GER; SER. Medal, C.V.S.M. (Award and Clasp)
Photograph: On wall of remembrance at St. Paul's High School
Next of Kin (and relationship): John Pelecaty (Father)
Date of Death: September 30th, 1944
Country of Burial: Germany
Cemetery: Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
Grave Reference: 7. G. 16
Location: 5km South of Kleve
Book of Remembrance: Page 414 of Second World War Book of Rememberance
Here is page 414 on the WWII Book of Remembrance.
Grave Reference
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
Grave Reference:
Include the diagram of the cemetery if possible. Also provide some information about the cemetery if possible.
This is the location of Pelechaty's grave. It is in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
ABOUT THE CEMETERY:
This cemetery was founded and built after the second world war had passed. It is located in Germany (5 kilometres south of Kleve to be exact). It is one of the largest cemeteries in Germany (van der Veen)
WHAT THE WORLD WAS LIKE ON THE DATE OF PELECHATY'S DEATH:
An article taken from the Manitoba Tribune, showing how peace is starting to come about in Dover England.This is an apparent sign that the end of the war is near.
An article about the strength of the Nazi regime taken from the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. This shows that on the date of Pelechaty's death, the Nazi regime's power was definitely declining.
Military service files of Private Clarence Garfield Mainse (28401, RG 24) obtained from Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario.
Ignatius Pelechaty on the St. Paul's wall of Rememberance
Service Personnel Information | Essay | | Military Service Record | Grave Reference | Additional information/links | Works Cited | Archival Reference
Service Personnel Information
View Larger Map
Essay
Many men fought the war for many different reasons. They risked their lives for the safety of their respective countries. The veterans from Winnipeg, Manitoba had sacrificed so much to keep the people of this community safe. Among these men was Griffin Pelechaty. He was a student from St. Paul’s High School had joined the army at a tender age, and died honorably in battle. The main objective of this project is to make sure that people comprehend the fact that these veterans should not be forgotten and that their legacy should live on for generations to come. Their commitment, valour, and bravery will be reminiscent throughout the school forever. The following essay will guide the reader through the life and times of Griffin Pelechaty. This will include his early life, time at the R.C.A.F. and his cruel death.Joseph Pelechaty was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was Polish-Canadian, seeing that his parents were both born in Poland. Raised Roman Catholic, Pelechaty was bi-lingual speaking fluent English and good Polish. During his years at St. Paul’s High School, Pelechaty was an athletic student, for he played tennis, basketball, and rugby. He was most likely a very proficient physical specimen, and lived at 220 Hargrave Street (Record of Service Airmen). As a student, Pelechaty didn’t excel as proficiently as he must have in athletics. Instead of leaving during the eleventh grade (which was most common during his time), he left after fully graduating (School Records).
Ignatius enrolled into the army on the thirteenth of November in 1942. He enrolled into the Royal Canadian Air Force with no past experience with the army. The only notable job experience he had prior to his enrollment was the fact that he was a stock keeper. Pelechaty had no apparent health issues during his enrollment which was an obvious advantage. For example, all urine tests came out negative and there was no disease present in his oral cavities (R.C.A.F. Attestation Paper). During this harsh period of war, there may have been a certain attraction that Pelechaty had towards the R.C.A.F. Many of the veterans from St. Paul’s High School did end up becoming part of the Air Force. There may have been a certain prestige that came along with a job in the Air Force which may explain the attraction of the general youth towards that particular department. These are all important reasons why Pelechaty was in a way a reflection of the times that he faced. This must have been a house-hold story for many veterans that were enlisted for war. During his time at the Royal Canadian Air Force, Pelechaty must have faced some very harsh challenges. Pelechaty was an air gunner for the force. This shows that he must have had superior skills when it came to concentration and consistency with his shot (Official Registration of Death). During training camp for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Pelechaty must have gone through some very intense training exercises. This included flying and of course, drills that involved his occupation which was air gunning. When training to be an air gunner, there was much practice needed with the accuracy of the individual’s shot. This is why they went through numerous drills while in aircrafts to perfect the precision of their accuracy (The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan). Pelechaty was part of the 426 Squadron. This squadron was founded in Yorkshire England on October 15th, 1942. Their leading commander was Commander S.S. Blanchard, whose origin was in Edmonton, Alberta. During April of 1944, they were starting to utilize the aircraft Halifax III. This aircraft was used for many bombing operations during 1944. This aircraft must have been some sort of an improvement from the last aircraft used (Avro Lancaster II) in terms of ammunition, because after converting to this new aircraft, bombing operations commenced. “426 Squadron’s first daylight attack, took place on June 21st against a V1 Buzz Bomb depot” (RCAF 426 “Thunderbird”).
Ignatius Pelechaty had passed away on September 30th, 1944. He was presumed dead after his plane went missing. He was in Germany at the time, and according to German information he was presumed killed during air operations (Province of Manitoba Official Registration of Death). Pelechaty still wasn’t married, and his father was still listed as his next of kin. He died at the tender age of 22 (Department of National Defense). After his death, Pelechaty obtained many honours for his courageous service on behalf of the Royal Canadian Air Force. These honours include the 38-45 Star, F.R. and GER. Star, and the Defense medal among others (Service Award Card).
To conclude, Pelechaty was a brave veteran who fought for this country as an air gunner. From his time at St. Paul’s High School till his death, he was a great representation of the times that he lived him because of the series of events that he had to live through. The cause of his death was murder which shows how prominent death was during that era. Pelechaty was a hero who will never be forgotten, and his name will forever be engraved in not only the history of the school, but the history of mankind.
Military Service Record
Here is page 414 on the WWII Book of Remembrance.
Grave Reference
- Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
- Grave Reference:
Include the diagram of the cemetery if possible. Also provide some information about the cemetery if possible.This is the location of Pelechaty's grave. It is in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
ABOUT THE CEMETERY:
This cemetery was founded and built after the second world war had passed. It is located in Germany (5 kilometres south of Kleve to be exact). It is one of the largest cemeteries in Germany (van der Veen)
GPS COORDINATES: Latitude: 51.74065, Longitude: 6.08242
View Larger Map
Located above is the location of the Reicchswald Forest War Cemetary
Additional information/links
The early stages of the 426 Squadron badge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao979HVhFvk
This is a link to a video that shows how the Halifax III was operated
WHAT THE WORLD WAS LIKE ON THE DATE OF PELECHATY'S DEATH:
An article taken from the Manitoba Tribune, showing how peace is starting to come about in Dover England.This is an apparent sign that the end of the war is near.
An article about the strength of the Nazi regime taken from the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. This shows that on the date of Pelechaty's death, the Nazi regime's power was definitely declining.
Works Cited
Fleming, Rob. "RCAF 426 'Thunderbird.'" RCAF 426 "Thunderbird." Squadron
Association, 2006. Web. 4 May 2012. <http://426sqdn.ca/history/history.html>.
- - -. Royal Canadian Air Force. PARTICULARS OF FAMILY OF AN OFFICER OR OTHER
RANK OF THE CANADIAN ARMY (AF) OR R.C.A.F. (ON ACTIVE SERVICE). Brandon,
Manitoba: R.C.A.F., 1942. Print.
Province of Manitoba Official Registration of Death. Ottawa:
Administrator of Estates, July 30th 1945. Print.
Royal Canadian Air Force (Attestation Paper). Winnipeg: n.p.,
1942. Print.
"British Commonwealth Air Training Plan." Royal Canadian Air Force. Canada, 3
Apr. 2009. Web. 15 May 2012. <http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/hst/
page-eng.asp?id=556>.
Royal Canadian Air Force. Department of National Defense. Ottawa: Estates
Branch, 1945. Print.
Service Award Card. N.p.: n.p., 1945. Print.
"Can Nazis Take Another Winter?" The Winnipeg Evening Tribune 30 Sept. 1944: 1.
Manitobia. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://manitobia.ca/content/en/
newspapers/WPT/1944/09/30/articles/18.xml/iarchives>.
"Dover Gets its Last Nazi Shell." The Winnipeg Evening Tribune 30 Sept. 1944: 1.
Manitobia. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://manitobia.ca/content/en/
newspapers/WPT/1944/09/30/articles/10.xml/iarchives>.
Archival Reference
Military service files of Private Clarence Garfield Mainse (28401, RG 24) obtained from Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario.